“California is disconnected from the other lower 48 states,” CEI notes.

Why?

No crude pipelines exist from other states. That’s the result of regulations that make pipeline infrastructure into California an untenable option.

Rail and truck transportation is limited. Rail transport is extremely expensive, highly controversial and would require an increase of 243,000 rail cars to meet current demands. Truck transport is unfeasible due to limited capacity.

Alaska has become a declining source of crude oil. While there has been an increase in investment that may counter that trend, it won’t be enough to offset California’s current production levels in the foreseeable future.

CEI maintains that the policies California has adopted are responsible for the state’s increasing reliance on distant energy sources. California imports more than 70% of its crude oil supply, most of it from other countries.

“If California continues on this trajectory, it would be choosing even greater dependence on foreign oil, which threatens reliability, sustainability and affordability for California’s diverse communities,” the coalition adds.

How we’re vulnerable

California’s foreign dependence makes it vulnerable to:

Volatile markets – Geo-political and economic events bring instability to the global oil market. That includes unforeseen circumstances, new costly investments, needs of other foreign countries like China, India and Europe and trade wars.

Strait of Hormuz – The only sea passage from the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz is essential to global oil transportation. One-third of the world’s sea-borne oil passes through this narrow waterway every day. A center of global tension, the Strait of Hormuz faces blockages and disrupted oil supplies due to regional skirmishes. Remember Iran’s seizure of a British tanker and attacks on ships in 2019?

Unstable foreign countries – At any time, other nations can limit or shut off oil supplies through embargoes or other means.

Control and security risks – Is California OK handing over control of our energy needs to a remote source and putting our energy security at risk?

Lower worker safety and environmental protections. Imported oil is not produced to California’s stringent safety, labor and environmental standards.

There is a solution that mitigates these risks while supporting our energy needs, says the coalition.

“California’s leaders can protect working families, consumers and our global environment by promoting in-state production under the world’s most stringent safety, labor and environmental standards,” CEI says.

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